Taxpayers groups pushes for law to recall MLAs

James Wood, Calgary Herald07.31.2014

A series of scandals have made former premier Alison Redford the face of the Canadian Taxpayer’s Federation’s push for legislation allowing voters to recall their MLA.Jeff McIntosh
/ THE CANADIAN PRESS

Derek Fildebrandt of the Canadian Taxpayer’s Federation says recall legislation can be a ‘powerful tool for voters to have in their democratic tool kit.”Crystal Schick Crystal Schick

The Canadian Taxpayers Federation says the latest controversy surrounding former premier Alison Redford’s use of government airplanes shows why Albertans need the ability to fire their MLAs.

On Friday, the CTF launched a petition campaign to push the government to bring in MLA recall legislation.

“We’ve always stood for recall but Alison Redford makes the case better than we ever could. So we want to give Albertans, and voters in Calgary-Elbow specifically, the right to recall their MLA,” the CTF’s Derek Fildebrandt said in an interview.

Redford resigned as premier and PC leader in March in the face of a caucus revolt over her travel, expenses and management style. She remains the MLA for Calgary-Elbow, but has drawn fire for her absences from the legislature.

The CBC reported this week that a leaked report by auditor general Merwan Saher alleges “false passengers” had been booked onto some government flights, blocking seats to restrict access to Redford on the aircraft.

The broadcaster also reported Saher concluded Redford derived a personal benefit by taking her daughter on dozens of government flights and had used a government plane when there were commercial options.

Redford has denied having any knowledge of improper bookings, but opposition parties have called for the Progressive Conservative government to bring in the police to investigate.

The three candidates running for the PC leadership reacted with outrage to the auditor’s report and did not rule out police involvement in the case, while Tory MLAs have questioned Redford continuing as a member of their caucus.

George VanderBurg, the government whip, said Friday no MLAs have contacted him to discuss Redford’s status within the government.

“Not a one,” said VanderBurg, who declined to comment on Redford’s position in the caucus.

“I’ve never reacted to any leaked document. I only react to stuff in front of me that’s real.”

But PC leadership hopeful Thomas Lukaszuk, who has called for Redford to be booted from the Tory caucus, said he spoke to VanderBurg about the issue Thursday.

Lukaszuk — who has also called for an exhaustive review of all of the former premier’s expenses — said he’d like to see the caucus gather to deal with Redford before its next scheduled meeting Sept. 3.

The former deputy premier said, however, he does not favour recall legislation, which he said can be a tool of special interest groups.

“You usually need a very large number of signatures to actually oust a politician . . . an average Albertan would never be able to collect those numbers that are required to actually exercise that privilege,” said Lukaszuk, who suggested the legislature has its own mechanisms to deal with wayward MLAs.

Fildebrandt said the CTF is advocating for legislation modelled on British Columbia’s law, which allows citizens to force a byelection after collecting the signatures of 40 per cent or more of eligible voters in a constituency.

No MLA has actually been recalled under the law, but the threat of it is a “powerful tool for voters to have in their democratic tool kit,” he said.

“Recall is more useful as a hammer hanging over a politician’s head than a knife in their gut,” said Fildebrandt.

Fildebrandt would like to see the contenders for the Tory leadership — which will be decided in September — back recall legislation as “an excellent way for the new premier to start their new premiership.”

Candidates Ric McIver and Jim Prentice were not available for comment Friday, but each issued an email to Tory members reiterating their pledge to end entitlements, a common refrain in the leadership race.

The Opposition Wildrose already backs recall legislation, campaigning during the last provincial election on a plank that allowed for recall if 33 per cent of eligible voters in a constituency signed an official petition within a 60-day period.

“I think the situation with Ms. Redford just possibly magnified the need for it and highlighted a lack of accountability within our current system,” Wildrose MLA Jeff Wilson said Friday.

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